Member for timber products

ABSTRACT

[Problem] To enable fixation between members by fitting and provide a member for timber product in which joining with more flexibility is achieved.  
     [Means for Resolution] In a sort of square timber having a predetermined shape and a given length, a groove  12  in the longitudinal direction and having a substantially concave shape in lateral cross section is provided and the width of the groove  12  and the thickness of the member in the direction of the depth of the groove  12  are a constant value A, so that fixation and fixing are achieved by fitting a member  11  to the groove  12  on the other member  11.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to member for timber products, which is asort of square timber having a predetermined shape and a given length.

BACKGROUND ART

For example, a shelve, a simple-shaped chair or table is often selectedas a subject of do-it-yourself work. However, special machining work isrequired for joint portions, and hence it is difficult for generalpeople to manufacture a satisfactory product. Although a commerciallyavailable manufacturing kit, in which required machining is alreadydone, helps non-experts assemble, it is significantly difficult forthose non-experts to achieve to change the predetermined position orshape.

The form of the member used for such a timberwork can be a square timberor a board, and the special machining work is required for joining orthe like. In order to cope with such a circumstance, an improvedtechnology proposed in this field regarding the subject described aboveis disclosed in JP-A-8-155912, or in JP-A-11-172807. Although thesetechnologies have a convexo-concave fitting structure, the fittingstructure contributes simply to positioning, but does not help fixationbetween members.

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-8-155912

[Patent Document 2] JP-A-11-172807

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

In view of such a point described above, it is an object of the presentinvention to enable fixation by fitting between members in the field oftimberwork and realize more various joint. It is another object of thepresent invention to provide a member for timber products, which can beformed into various intended structures by combining the same types ofmembers, is easy to work with, and can be adjusted and arranged easily.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

In order to solve the above-described object, the present inventionprovides a sort of square timber of a predetermined shape and a givenlength including a groove in the longitudinal direction and having asubstantially concave shape in lateral cross section, wherein the widthof the groove and the thickness in the direction of the depth of thegroove are a constant value so that fixation and fixing are achieved byfitting a member to the groove on the other member (the invention statedin claim 1).

In the present invention, the term “timber products” simply represents aproduct manufactured by using timber materials. Therefore, theabove-described shelve, chair and table are included. Also, in thepresent invention, the term “square timber” represents a timber having asquare shape, as used conventionally. The length of the member is notlimited at all.

The member for timber products according to the present inventionincludes a groove along the longitudinal direction, and hence has aconcave shape in lateral cross section in a broad meaning. The width ofthe groove and the outer dimension of the member in the direction of thedepth of the groove, that is, the thickness of the member are a constantvalue of A, for example. Accordingly, one member can be fitted into andfixed to the groove of the other member. Although the position and thesize of the groove or the member can be modified variously under acertain constraint as described later, the member for timber productsaccording to the present invention is composed of an assembly of suchvarious members.

In addition to the fact that the width of the groove and the thicknessof the member are the constant value A, the dimension from the edge ofthe groove to the side edge of the member preferably is the constantvalue A (the invention stated in claim 2, as referred to in FIG. 3). Thedimension from the edge of the groove to the side edge of the member(hereinafter, referred to as “groove-edge width”) may be the shortestlength, that is, the dimension from the edge of groove to the side edgeof the member which extend in parallel may be half the constant value A.In the latter case, since ½A plus ½A equals A, two members disposedside-by-side can be fitted to and integrally combined with a thirdmember.

In addition to the fact that the groove-edge width is the constant valueA or ½A, the depth of the groove is preferably half the constant value A(the invention stated in claim 3, as referred to in FIG. 4). In thiscase, when the two members are combined so that two grooves define onecavity, a bearing structure, in which a shaft, for example, is insertedtherein to enable rotation thereof, can be provided. The fact that thedepth of the groove is ½A means that when the member having a length of½A is fitted in the groove on the other member, a force required forfixing the members can be obtained.

Although it is preferable that the groove-edge width is the constantvalue A or half the constant value A as described above, it is alsopreferable that this dimension is applied not only on one side of thegroove, but also on the other side of the groove. When the groove-edgewidth is a constant value A, and this groove-edge width is applied toboth of the left and right sides of the groove, the dimension from oneside edge to the other side edge of the member is three times theconstant value A, and in this case, the groove is positioned at thecenter of the member (the invention as stated in claim 4, as referred toin FIG. 5).

The number of grooves formed on one member is not limited to one.Although the member of this type is desired to be formed as simple aspossible, a plurality of grooves can freely be provided thereon (asreferred to in FIG. 9). By combining a member having only one groovewith a member having a plurality of grooves, flexibility of combinationof the members increases. It is not necessary to provide the pluralityof grooves always on the same surface, and may be formed on thedifferent surfaces, such as the opposite surface.

Since the concave and the convex cannot be fitted to each other when thedimension of the concave and the dimension of the convex to be fitted toeach other are the same constant value A, it is necessary to provide aroom for fitting therebetween. In other words, fitting in the presentinvention corresponds to transition fit or interference fit in fittingmodes in the engineering terminology, and is preferably achieved a statein which the fitted members are fixed without moving.

The member for timber products according to the present invention isformed of natural wood, laminated wood, synthetic member, or plastic,and is machined by a cutting tool, a tool, a machine, or an apparatusfor timber work to form a member for an intended structure. In additionto the members in the present invention, the components of the intendedstructure may include auxiliary members, and requires securing meanssuch as bolts, nut, nails or adhesive agent.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION

Since the present invention is configured and operated as describedabove, fixation between the members are achieved by fitting and fixationat important spots can be done easily and reliably in the process ofassembly, whereby, advantageously, various intended structure can beworked up by persons who do not have special skill for timberwork withlittle trouble and adjustment or arrangement during manufacture caneasily be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lateral cross-sectional view ofExample 1 of a member for timber products according to the presentinvention, and an example of usage thereof.

FIG. 2 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 2 of the presentinvention, a front view (a), a bottom view (b) and a plan view (c) of anexample of usage.

FIG. 3 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 3 of the presentinvention, a front view (a), a bottom view (b) and a plan view (c) of anexample of usage.

FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 4 of the presentinvention, a front view (a), a bottom view (b) and a plan view (c) of anexample of usage.

FIG. 5 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 5 of the presentinvention, and perspective views (a) and (b) showing two examples ofusage thereof.

FIG. 6 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 6, a perspectiveview (a) of a principal portion, a side view (b), a plan view (c), and afront view (d) of a principal portion thereof showing an example ofusage thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of combination accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing four examples (a), (b), (c) and (d)of the combination according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is explanatory drawings showing three examples (a), (b), and (c)of modifications and combination according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

-   11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 member-   12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92 groove-   13, 23, 33, 43 structure-   24, 34 groove edge-   25, 35, 55-1, 55-2 side edge-   26, 36, 46 table top

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to embodiments shown in the drawings, the presentinvention will be described further in detail below. FIG. 1 shows anexample of a member for timber products having a groove 12 on one sidesurface of a square timber member 11 along the longitudinal direction.The width of the groove 12 and the thickness of the member in thedirection of the depth of the groove 12 each are a constant value A.Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the one member 11 can befitted into the groove 12 of the other member 11 in the direction of thedepth of the other member 11 so as to coincide with the groove width,whereby the members 11, 11 are fixed to each other.

A product shown in FIG. 1 in perspective view is a tower-shapedstructure 13 formed by disposing four columns 11-1, 11-2, 11-3. 11-4with the direction of the depth oriented in the direction of groovewidth, fitting left and right beam members 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8thereto, and a set of the plurality of lateral beam members 11-9 arefitted to the left and right beam members 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 withthe direction of the depth thereof oriented to the direction of groovewidth for upper and lower levels. Although the members constituting thestructure 13 in FIG. 1 are differentiated by different numerals from11-1 to 11-9 for the sake of convenience, these members are all the samemember 11 and are used in combination. The same member 11 means one typeof member 11.

FIG. 2 shows Example 2 in which the dimension from one groove edge 24 toside edge 25 of member 21 is the constant value A, in addition to theconditions in Example 1 such that the groove width and the thickness ofthe member in the direction of the depth of the groove are the constantvalue A. The dimension from one side edge to the other side edge of themember 21 is shown in the drawing to be within the range from twice tothree times the constant value A. In Example 2 as well, one member maybe fitted into the groove 22 of the other member 21 with the directionof the depth oriented so as to coincide with the groove width, wherebyboth members 21, 21 are fixed to each other.

A table-shaped structure 23 shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b), and (c) is formedby fitting and fixing four legs 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 21-4 into/to both endsof the grooves of two beam members 21-5, 21-6, which all correspond tothe above-described member 21, fitting and fixing both ends of the beammembers 21-5, 21-6 into the grooves 22 of intersecting beam members21-7, 21-8, and disposing a member 21-9 with the grooves faced downwardbetween the intersecting beams 21-7, 21-8 and on the beam members 21-5,21-6. When fitting the respective members 21-1 to 21-9, the direction ofthe depth is oriented in the direction of groove width as in the case ofExample 1 described above. In the case of Example 2, since the dimensionfrom one groove edge 24 to the side edge 25 of the member is theconstant value A, spaces having a depth of the constant value A can besecured on the beam members 21-5, 21-6 fitted into the intersectingbeams 21-7, 21-8. Therefore, the space can be filled by utilizing themembers 21 having the same constant value A to form a table top 26. Thereference numerals 29-1 and 29-2 designate beam members between thelegs.

FIG. 3 shows Example 3, in which a member 31 has a groove 32, and thedimension from one groove edge 34 to one side edge 35 is half theconstant value A, in addition to the conditions in Example 1, such thatthe groove width and the dimension of the groove in the direction of thedepth thereof are the constant value A. FIG. 3 also shows an examplecombined with Example 2 in which the above-described dimension is theconstant value A.

A table-shaped structure 33 shown in FIGS. 3(a), (b), (c) has astructure similar to Example 2, and the structure including four legs31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 31-4 and two beam members 31-5, 31-6 to be fittedthereto, which all correspond to the above-described members 31, iscommon. However, both ends of the two beam members 31-5, 31-6 are fittedto the grooves 32 of intersecting beam members 31-7, 31-8 employing themembers in Example 3 with the direction of the depth thereof oriented inthe direction of the groove width, whereby the depth of the spaces onthe beam members 31-5, 31-6 is half the constant value A. Therefore, themembers 39-4 disposed on the spaces above the beam members 31-5, 31-6 toform a table top 36 is suitably those having a thickness of half theconstant value A. Reference numerals 39-1, 39-2 designate beam membersbetween the legs.

FIG. 4 shows Example 4 in which the depth of groove 42 is half theconstant value A, in addition to the conditions in Example 1 such thatthe groove width and the thickness of the member in the direction of thedepth of the groove are the constant value A. Furthermore, the structureshown in the drawing also satisfies conditions in Example 3, such thatthe dimension from a groove edge 44 to a side edge 45 of a member 41 ishalf the constant value A. The depth of the groove 42 being half theconstant value A is the most suitable for obtaining a desired fixingforce by fitting between members, and is also suitable as a wholebecause the thickness of the member 41 may be the predetermined value Aand hence may be prevented from being excessive.

A table-shaped structure 43 shown in FIG. 4(a), (b), (c) also has astructure similar to Example 2, and includes four legs 41-1, 41-2, 41-3,41-4 and beam members 41-5, 41-6 providing the grooves 42 to which theends of the legs are fitted, which all correspond to the above-describedmember 41. Both ends of the bridge members 49-1, 49-2 are fitted intoand fixed to the grooves 42 between the front two legs 41-1, 41-2 andbetween the rear two legs 41-3, 41-4, of the four legs respectively, andthe both bridge members 49-1, 49-2 are joined by a third bridge member49-3 fitted into and fixed to the grooves 42 thereof. In Example 4,second beam members 41-7, 41-8 are fitted to the outer edges of the beammembers 41-5, 41-6, and members 49-4 for forming the table top 46 aredisposed side-by-side between the second beam members 41-7, 41-8.

FIG. 5 shows Example 5 in which the dimension from one side edge 55-1 tothe other side edge 55-2 of a member 51 are three times the constantvalue A, and a groove 52 is positioned at the center, in addition to theconditions in Example 1 such that the groove width and the thickness ofthe member in the direction of the depth of the groove are the constantvalue A. Since the groove 52 and left and right portions thereof 57-1,57-2 have the same dimension so as to be fitted to each other, themembers 51 can be connected and joined to each other both in thelongitudinal direction and in the widthwise direction by utilizing thegroove 52 as the concave and the left and right portions 57-1, 57-2 asthe convexes.

FIGS. 5(a), (b) illustrate a characteristic fitting structure in Example5, showing that a staircase pattern can be obtained by fitting thegrooves 52 and the left and right portions 57-1, 57-2 (FIG. 5(a)) of themembers 51 to each other. By utilizing the staircase pattern anddisposing additional members 58 in the intersecting direction, thestaircase pattern can be converted into the steps (FIG. 5(b)). Example 5shows that fixation can be achieved by fitting the left and rightportions 57-1, 57-2 of the groove 52 into the grooves 52 without usingthe value A in thickness of the member 51. However, it is clear that theends of the member 51 can be fitted into the groove 52 utilizing thethickness A of the member 51 in the direction of the depth of the groovein Example 5 as well.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the form of utilization of a member 61 havinga depth of a groove 62 of half the constant value A (the same as inExample 4). In this case, the two members 61, 61 are disposed so thatthe respective grooves 62 face each other, and a space defined by thetwo grooves 62, 62 is used as a bearing groove, whereby a shaft 60 canbe inserted therein. With such a bearing mechanism, for example afoldable chair can be manufactured.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a member 71 in which the dimension of agroove 72 and of left and right portions 75-1, 75-2 thereof are theconstant value A, the depth of the groove 72 is the constant value A,and the depth of the groove 72 is half the constant value A.Characteristic of Example 7 as described above is that when the bothsides of the member 71 are fitted into the grooves 72 of the members 71disposed on the left and right sides thereof, the distance between theleft and right members 71, 72 corresponds to 3A−(½A×2)=2A, which isequal to twice the thickness of the member. FIG. 7 shows an example inwhich such a characteristic is utilized and a shelf-shaped structure 73is formed by allowing intersecting members 74 having double thethickness to be retained in the longitudinal direction of column members70 having H-shaped cross-section, and fitting shelf boards 76 into thegrooves 72 of the intersecting members 74.

FIG. 8 shows that the members 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 shown above areconfigured so that not only the same type of members can be combinedwith each other as a matter of course, but also different types of themembers can be combined freely, and fitted and fixed to obtain theintended product. FIG. 8(a) shows an example of a longitudinal pair inwhich the side edge of one member 81-2 is fitted into the groove 82 onthe other member 81-1 of the same type as in Example 5 to form a T-shapein cross section, and FIG. 8(b) shows an example in which a third member81-4 is adhered to the back surface of the T-shaped intersecting member81-2 which can be used as the table top or the wall surface of theshelf. FIG. 8(c) shows an example in which a member 81-5 having thedimension from the groove edge to the side edge of the member being theconstant value A as Example 2, and the dimension from the other grooveedge to the other side edge being larger is combined as a T-shapedintersecting member, and FIG. 8(d) shows an example in which theabove-described member 81-5 is combined as the T-shaped intersectedmember.

FIG. 9 shows a member 91 having a plurality of grooves 92 and theexample of usage thereof. This member also have to satisfy the condition1 such that the width of the groove 92 and the dimension of the memberin the direction of the depth of the groove 92, that is, the thicknessof the member are the constant value A absolutely, and have toselectively satisfy the condition 2 such that the dimension from thegroove edge to the side edge of the member is the constant value A orhalf the constant value A, or the condition 3 such that the depth of thegroove 92 is half the constant value A. Separate members X1 may befitted respectively into the plurality of grooves 92 (FIG. 9(a)), andstill other members Y1 can be fitted into grooves X2 of the fittedmembers X1. Furthermore, FIG. 9(c) illustrates an example in which aplurality of grooves Z2, Z2 do not have to be on the same level as amember Z1. Since the lateral cross section of the member Z1 presents anS-shape or a Z-shape in the latest example, stepped or staggeredarrangement can also be employed.

1. A member for timber products which is a sort of square timber havinga predetermined shape and a given length comprising: a groove in thelongitudinal direction and having a substantially concave shape inlateral cross section, wherein the width of the groove and the thicknessin the direction of the depth of the member are a constant value so thatfixation and fixing are achieved by fitting a member to the groove onthe other member.
 2. A member for timber products according to claim 1,wherein the dimension from the edge of the groove to the side edge ofthe member is a constant value or half the constant value.
 3. A memberfor timber products according to claim 1, wherein the depth of thegroove is half the constant value.
 4. A member for timber productsaccording to claim 1, wherein the dimension from one side edge to theother side edge of the member is three times the constant value, and thegroove is positioned at the center of the member.